Boers

The Boers were a subgroup of Dutch settlers in Southern Africa. The term "Boer" is derived from the Dutch word for "farmer" and originally referred to the Dutch colonists who settled in the Cape Colony starting in the 17th century. Over time, this group developed a distinct identity shaped by their agricultural lifestyle, Calvinist faith, and frontier experiences. They were largely responsible for the European exploration and settlement of the interior of South Africa.

As British colonial rule increased in the Cape Colony during the 19th century, many Boers, dissatisfied with British policies, embarked on the Great Trek. This mass migration saw thousands of Boers move inland, establishing new independent republics, most notably the South African Republic (Transvaal) and the Orange Free State. These republics were characterized by their agrarian economies and a distinct Afrikaner culture and language, which evolved from Dutch.

The discovery of diamonds and gold in Boer territories led to increased conflict with the British, culminating in the Anglo-Boer Wars of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite fierce resistance, the Boer republics were eventually annexed by the British. Following the wars, many Boers were integrated into the Union of South Africa. The term "Boer" is still used today, often referring to people of Afrikaner descent, though its historical context is tied to the specific period of Dutch settlement and the subsequent conflicts.